A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Ultrasound Therapy against Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomised Open-label Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Adhesive capsulitis is idiopathic, progressive, painful, and restricted active and passive shoulder range of motion in patients with normal radiographs. Adhesive capsulitis can be effectively treated by ultrasound therapy, exercise, and intra-articular steroids. Objective: To see the efficacy of ultrasound therapy and intraarticular corticosteroid injection in adhesive capsulitis. And compare the efficacy of ultrasound therapy and intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Materials and Methods: Study Design: A comparative study. Setting: Tertiary care center. Time period:from October 2019 to September 2020. Participants: 80 patients who attended the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department during the study period, met the inclusion criteria. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to the intra-articular corticosteroid injection (Group A) and ultrasound therapy treatment (Group B). Main Outcome Measures: Parameters such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and range of motion with goniometry. The examination was performed at the 1st visit (0 week) and then 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. Results: At the end of the study, a statistically significant improvement was obtained in all clinical parameters: VAS (P < 0.001), SPADI (P < 0.001) and goniometry (P < 0.001) in both Group A (the intra-articular corticosteroid injection) and Group B (ultrasound therapy treatment). While in combination with therapeutic exercises, the greatest pain improvement was seen in the local corticosteroid injection group, the ultrasound therapy group also showed significant and comparable improvement. Conclusions: Both intra-articular corticosteroid injection and ultrasound therapy were effective in adhesive capsulitis treatment. Thus, ultrasound therapy can be an alternative treatment for adhesive capsulitis, particularly in patients who do not accept injections.